This weekend our round-up of Manchester freebies goes big, with free events that include huge projections on buildings and others that detail the fairly sizable history of our sprawling city and its surrounds. Maybe size does matter after all.
Big Digital Project in Oldham and Salford (pictured)
The Big Digital Project is a community-led project organised by Lets Go Global, culminating with one big-ass, spectacular light show in Albert Square next weekend. Until then, you can get your fix in Gallery Oldham with their ‘So This is How it Feels to be Oldham’ show, which explores Oldham’s sense of identity through an hour-long, large-scale performance featuring four projections running simultaneously outside the gallery. With the input of locals from Young Oldham Dance, Oldham’s Institute of Public Information, Oldham Theatre Workshop, Actors House, To Do and a Hoo-Ha, Peshkar Productions and The Rainy City Roller Girls, the varied short films will create immense, immersive art and even include recently digitised archival footage of retro Oldham. If Salford’s more your bag, Ordsall Hall is also hosting its own light show on Sun 23 Mar, which takes on the theme of a typical day in the area.
Oldham light show Fri 21 Mar, Gallery Oldham, Greaves Steet, Oldham, OL1 1AL, 7.30pm, FREE; Salford light show Sun 23 Mar, Ordsall Hall, Ordsall Lane, Salford, M5 3AN, 7.30pm, FREE, www.bigdigitalproject.co.uk
Manchester Histories Festival: Creative Threads
To celebrate Manchester Histories Festival, six of Manchester’s finest establishments are throwing their doors open and bringing in exhibitions, theatre and more – all for free. The festival explores new and hidden histories from across Greater Manchester, and to support this Chetham’s Library, Manchester Jewish Museum, Museum of Transport Greater Manchester, the Pankhurst Centre, Victoria Baths and the Working Class Movement Library are all climbing on board with lots of music, film, debate, talks, performances and exhibitions. Highlights include a musical tour of the magnificent Victoria Baths from singer-songwriter Black Jack Barnet, and a performance from LipService at the Pankhurst Centre portraying an imaginary meeting between two of Manchester’s most iconic women, Elizabeth Gaskell and Emmeline Pankhurst.
Sun 23 Mar, Various venues, Various times, FREE, www.manchesterhistoriesfestival.org.uk
Free admission to the Manchester United Museum
Having been awarded the accolade of Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at 2013’s Manchester Tourism Awards, Manchester United Museum is to many an essential Manc experience. And to say thank you to the club’s loyal fans, the Museum is opening its doors for free throughout the month of March, meaning that visitors can explore the rich history of the world’s most famous football club without being struck by what can be quite a pricey sting. With a David Beckham exhibition and interactive games aplenty, it’s worth heading down to embrace an integral part of Manchester’s reputation before April kicks in and you have to start paying again.
FREE throughout March, Manchester United Museum, Old Trafford Stadium, Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0RA, Tel: 0161 868 8000, www.manutd.com
- Words:
- Jess Hardiman
- Published on:
- Sun 23 Mar 2014
